Reconfigurable checkout system

ABSTRACT

A reconfigurable checkout system which is suited for self-service and full-service operation. The system includes a first portion including a dual-aperture bar code scanner rotatably mounted within the first portion. The dual-aperture bar code scanner is rotatable between a full-service position and a self-service position. The system further includes a second portion coupled to the first portion containing a bagging area for use in full-service and self-service checkout operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to point-of-service checkoutsystems and more specifically to a reconfigurable checkout system.

[0002] Traditionally, checkout systems have included islands forservicing one lane and one customer per island at a time. Such systemshave included scanners at the end of a conveyor belt and apoint-of-service terminal, separated from the scanner and located infront of the point-of-service operator.

[0003] With the evolution of high performance dual-aperture bar codescanners, these systems have been self-service or full-service island,but not a combination of both. The dual-aperture bar code scanners havea vertical window which must face the operator in order to easily scanitems. Thus, checkout systems which contain dual-aperture bar codescanners offer retailers very little flexibility to reconfigure theirstores with more or less of either full-service and self-servicecheckout systems.

[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a checkout systemcontaining a dual-aperture bar code scanner which is suitable forself-service as well as full-service operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, areconfigurable checkout system is provided.

[0006] The system includes a first portion including a dual-aperture barcode scanner rotatably mounted within the first portion. Thedual-aperture bar code scanner is rotatable between a full-serviceposition and a self-service position. The system further includes asecond portion coupled to the first portion containing a bagging areafor use in full-service and self-service checkout operations.

[0007] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide areconfigurable checkout system.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide areconfigurable checkout system which easily facilitates full service aswell as self-service operations.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide areconfigurable checkout system which includes a mechanism for rotating adual-aperture bar code reader between full-service and self-servicepositions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which this inventionrelates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments andthe appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a top view of the checkout system of the presentinvention configured as a full-service checkout island;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top view of the checkout system of the presentinvention in the process of being reconfigured as a self-servicecheckout island;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the checkout system as shown in FIG. 2showing a drawer for rotating a dual-aperture bar code reader;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top view of the checkout system of the presentinvention configured as a first type of self-service checkout island;and

[0015]FIG. 5 is a top view of the checkout system of the presentinvention configured as a second type of self-service checkout island.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, system 10 of the present invention isconfigured as a full-service checkout island and includes baggingportion 12, scanning portion 14, and receiving portion 16.

[0017] Bagging portion 12 includes customer service table 18, conveyor26, cash drawer 28, bagging shelf 30, and receipt printer 31.

[0018] Customer service table 18 provides a convenient writing surfaceand includes card reader with pin keypad 20, customer receipt printer22, and customer display 24.

[0019] Card reader 20 is operational in both full and self-serviceconfigurations.

[0020] Printer 22, though present in the full-service configuration, isintended primarily for operation as a receipt printer during theself-service mode of operation. Printer 31 is used for full-serviceoperation.

[0021] Customer display 24 operates as a customer information terminalduring full-service operation and a customer-operated transactionterminal during self-service operation. Customer display 24 ispreferably connected to a store network. An NCR 7401 computer terminalis suitable for use as customer display 24.

[0022] Conveyor 26 supports and transports merchandise items to baggingshelf 30. Conveyor 26 preferably telescopes to allow portion 44 ofbagging portion 12 to be lowered to become a bagging shelf in theself-service mode of operation.

[0023] Cash drawer 28 is operated by a full-service checkout employeeand allows the employee to process cash and check payments and dispensechange.

[0024] Scanning portion 14 includes terminal interface 32, dual-aperturebar code scanner 34, and terminal 42.

[0025] Terminal interface 32 provides an operator with control during afull-service checkout operation. Terminal interface 32 includes either adisplay 46 and keypad 48 or a touch screen and is mounted above thevertical aperture portion of dual-aperture bar code scanner 34. An NCRDynakey® terminal is suitable for use as terminal interface 32.

[0026] Dual-aperture bar code scanner 34 includes vertical aperture 50and horizontal aperture 52. Horizontal aperture 52 is substantiallyflush with the top surface of scanning portion 14 and may be part of ascale weigh plate if dual-aperture bar code scanner 34 is equipped witha scale. An NCR 7875 scanner is suitable for use as scanner 34.

[0027] Vertical aperture 50 and its associated scanner housing portionare above the top surface of scanning portion 14. Vertical aperture 50faces an operator during scanning. Thus, in the full-serviceconfiguration of FIG. 1, full-service checkout employee 54 can easilyscan merchandise items using scanning light beams from both vertical andhorizontal apertures 50 and 52.

[0028] Terminal 42 is located within scanning portion 14. Terminal 42 ispreferably connected to a store network. During full-service operation,terminal 42 controls card reader 20, cash drawer 28, receipt printer 31,terminal interface 32, and dual-aperture scanner 34.

[0029] Receiving portion 16 includes conveyor 38.

[0030] During full-service operation, customer 56 approaches receivingportion 16 and places merchandise items on conveyor 38.

[0031] Employee 54 scans barcoded merchandise items using dual-aperturebar code scanner 34. Employee 54 may alternatively process bar codedmerchandise items by entering price look-up numbers into terminalinterface 32. Employee 54 also processes non-barcoded items, such asproduce items using the scale of dual-aperture bar code scanner 34 andterminal interface 32. Employee 54 moves all merchandise items tobagging portion 12.

[0032] Customer 56 moves to customer service table 18 to wait for allitems to be processed by employee 54 and to complete payment. Whilewaiting, customer 56 may view promotional material displayed by display24 or use customer display to find information about products, answersurveys, or select coupons. Payment may be recorded by card reader 20.

[0033] Following payment, employee 54 hands a receipt from receiptprinter 31 to customer 56. Customer 56 then removes the items frombagging portion 12.

[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the initial step in convertingcheckout system 10 to a self-service checkout system is to rotatescanner 34 so that it faces customer 56.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 2, drawer 36 is first removed from scannerwell 40. Terminal interface 32 is then folded down behind the verticalportion of scanner 34.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 3, scanner 34 is rotatably mounted ondrawer 36 using pivot pipe 60. Wiring 62 from scanner 34 extends throughpivot pipe 60 and follows the underside of drawer 36 to terminal 42.

[0037] Conveyor 26 is reconfigured to allow portion 44 of baggingportion 12 to be lowered to become a bagging shelf in the self-servicemode of operation.

[0038] Thus, with reference to FIG. 4, checkout system 10 is shown in afirst self-service configuration. In a second self-service configuration(FIG. 5), receiving portion 16 is removed to allow shopping cart 70 tobe placed adjacent scanning portion 14. Otherwise, operation is similarfor both the first and second self-service configurations.

[0039] Dual-aperture bar code scanner 34 faces customer 56.

[0040] Customer display 24 operates as a transaction terminal and takescustomer 56 through the steps necessary to process and pay formerchandise items. For this purpose, customer display controlsdual-aperture bar code scanner 34 and card reader 20 through terminal42. Customer display 24 directly controls customer receipt printer 22.Cash drawer 28 and receipt printer 31 are inoperative duringself-service operation.

[0041] Alternatively, in a single-computer configuration, customerdisplay 24 may instead be a second terminal interface 32 for controllingterminal 42.

[0042] During self-service operation, customer 56 approaches receivingportion 16 and places merchandise items on conveyor 38 (FIG. 4) orplaces shopping cart 70 adjacent scanning portion 14 and removes itemsfrom shopping cart 70 to be scanned one at a time (FIG. 5).

[0043] Customer 56 looks to customer display 24 for instructions.Customer 56 scans barcoded merchandise items using dual-aperture barcode scanner 34. Customer 56 may alternatively process bar codedmerchandise items by entering price look-up numbers into customerdisplay 24.

[0044] Customer 56 also processes non-barcoded items, such as produceitems using the scale of dual-aperture bar code scanner 34 and customerdisplay 24. Customer 56 moves all merchandise items to portion 44 ofbagging portion 12.

[0045] Customer 56 moves to customer service table 18 after processingall items to complete payment. Payment may be recorded by card reader20. Cash or check payments may be made at a separate payment station.Alternatively, system 10 may include a cash acceptance/cash dispenserunit controlled by terminal 42. Following payment, receipt printer 22prints a receipt. Customer 56 then removes the items from portion 44 ofbagging portion 12.

[0046] Advantageously, system 10 provides an ergonomically superiorarrangement for the checkout process. The reconfigurable hardwaresolution provides a self-service option while preserving full-servicecheckout capability. Most importantly, system 10 allows dual-aperturebar code scanner to be used in both self-service and full-serviceconfigurations.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations andmodifications of the present invention can be effected within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reconfigurable checkout system comprising: afirst portion including a dual-aperture bar code scanner rotatablymounted within the first portion; wherein the dual-aperture bar codescanner is rotatable between a full-service position and a self-serviceposition; and a second portion coupled to the first portion containing abagging area for use in full-service and self-service checkoutoperations.